Curtain-web Spiders

Curtain-web Spiders – Dipluridae

One of the most obvious characteristics of spiders in this family are their very long spinnerets which they use to construct their elaborate retreats. They live within silk funnel-like holes which are the hub of large silk curtains and platforms produced with copious amounts of silk. The spiders move around within their silken labyrinths at night, the sheets of silk detect and send the spider vibrations of prey moving upon them. They feed upon a variety of invertebrate prey including snails which they seem quite specialised in capturing.